RIP Sam Dog

In this hyper connected world we live in, I received notice, indirectly (Facebook, actually), that my ex-husband Troy had to say goodbye to his (our) dog Sam today. I'm not sure of the circumstances, because I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet. I called, and left an incoherent blubbering message....not sure if he'll call back any time soon. I'm sure he's hurting.

We adopted Sam in April 2002 from the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (Grrr), shortly after we moved into our very first house in Henderson, Colorado. It was pretty much love at first sight when we went to meet him - even though he had some severe hip issues (from an accident, we were told, not displaysia) and was going to require expensive surgery. We adopted him, cared for him, rehabbed him and he, I think, was so very grateful :)

Yes, he was a great dog. Sweet, snuggly, and mischevious. He once snagged an entire pot roast off of our countertop. Oh, and the raw chicken he ate from the trash in our temporary Ann Arbor apartment. Yeah...the aftermath of that was fun.

He loved frolicking in the snow...sticking his nose in it and snorting away. He loved soft plush toys to hold in his mouth, as long as they didn't have a squeaky. If they did...he would destroy them in 2.2 seconds. Despite his 95 pound frame, he was petrified of Milo the cat (the big fat orange boy)....but really wanted nothing more than to be buddies with both kitties.

During our separation, we decided that it would be in Sam's best interest to stay with Troy here in the US, while the kitties went with me to Mexico. Sam was already an old boy, and although he traveled well, we both knew that international travel would be pretty tough on him. My heart hurt when I had to say goodbye to my big dog.

I did have the opportunity to see him on a couple of occasions since then - and Troy was always pretty good about letting me know how he was doing. Last time I spoke with Troy, he said Sam was still in good spirits, but definitely showing signs of his old age. I guess he would have been 13 years old this year....That's pretty darn good for such a big dog!!

He hasn't been "mine" since 2005, but he was always mine in my heart. So I say goodbye, and shed a few tears....but know he lived a good life. Goodbye Sam Dog. Someday, I'll see you again.

I'm Thankful For...

Many many things. But I'm incredibly thankful for my own little family. My amazing husband, who has been so supportive and encouraging through the changes in our lives....my amazing little son, who is doing such a great job growing up :) I'm thankful for me. I've grown so much in the past year, the most surprising achievement has been my ability to be appreciative for what I have, instead of focusing on what I don't have, or what could happen. Its a big change for me, and a much welcome one. I'm in such a great place right now, and looking forward to many great things in our future!!

p.s. Yes, Liam *IS* playing with a plastic bag. I'm thankful for my great parenting skills. Hey, we took all the glass out of it!! LOL :)

Ziggy the Zebra visit

Here's a post from Pregnancy.org bulletin board :) Our board mascot came to visit us!!!!

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First things first....Emily, nice try covering for Ziggy. He told me all about it. He wasn't hidden in your clean laundry.....he was in Zebra REHAB!! Decided he liked the drinky drink a little to much and checked himself in. Its OK now Em, everything is open and honest here, and we don't think any different of him now, do we???

Anywhoozers - Liam, Honeybuns and I really enjoyed our time with Zig man.....and lets just say, I don't think his stint in rehab helped him all that much......I mean, he was hangin' out with the Irish/Mexican folk for a while!


Lookie what we got!!! I'm soooo excited!



Liam, um....not so much. "NO MOM!!! Not the box. NOT THE BOOOOoOOooOOOOOX!"



First thing Zig-man lays down for me when he gets out of the box is this...."Lady, you gotta help a Zebra fix his hair! This 'do is WACK!"



So, I take him to get his hair did. Looks much better, and he says he feels so refreshed!



"Alright, alright...this dude seems pretty cool. Has good taste in colors...."



"Hey Ma! Did you hear this guy? He says he's been all over. Even to Montana!? MONTANA!!! Can you believe this guy!?"



Yes my dear friends, sometimes my son is a bit dramatic. He loves Ziggy. Then he hates him. Then he loves him again. Its like a tortured artist. "Enough of this silly Zebra!! I wash my hands of you!! BE GONE!"



Liam and the Zigster watching Sesame Street on the Spiderman couch...."Yeah, watch this segment Ziggy! This Elmo guy CRACKS me up!"



Has anyone seen a little boy with a red Zebra?? I can't find them ANYWHERE!! No trace of them at all....hmmmm....maybe they are plotting against me.



There they are! "Peek-A-Boo!" Liam actually covered his eyes this time. Usually, its one hand over his eye, the other one on an ear, or on the top of his head....you get the idea :)



"Zebra? What Zebra? I don't see no stinkin' Zebra here."



Ziggy helps Liam get ready for bed by reading "Tails" together. Ziggy says "Hey!! I've got a tail too!" while Liam sips on some warm milk.



Ziggy, Hugo the Hippo and Liam are all pretty sleepy after a long day of livin' it up.



The next morning (this morning) we all wake up and get ready for what is usually the biggest game of the season....Michigan vs. Ohio State. Sad to say, this year has been a horrific one for Michigan Football....the worst in 129 seasons to be exact. Which was reason enough to break out the booze and for Ziggy to fall off the wagon. It's going to be a long one. Besides...its tough to be a University of Michigan fan when you're all RED!!! And yes, our TV is gigundic. Definitely a Honeybuns purchase...his last before Liam was born LOL :)


Hooray! There is hope!!! "WHOOO HOOO!! Michigan Scored!!"


Halftime of the UM/OSU game....While hope was still alive and before we were crushed to oblivion. Ziggy doesn't quite belong, he's the only one without Michigan Cool Pants :)


After the football game debacle, we headed out to see some sights. "WHOA! Chicago is AWESOME!!!!!!"



"Hmmm....should I go for a refreshing dip in Lake Michigan??"



Crusin' on Lakeshore Drive



Ziggy sitting patiently in traffic {AGAIN} after visiting Piggy Toes trying to find Liam some shoes for his freakishly chubby fat feet. To no avail I might add. Well, we couldn't find a pair that was less than $60....which is just ridiculous.



Mmmmm.....Is Ziggy thinkin' what I'm thinkin?? I think he is :) STILL off the wagon :)




Daddy, Liam and Ziggy walking to the condo after an afternoon in the city. No garages or driveways for these city folks! By the way, this really bites on a COLD day!!! Today was a warm 30-ish with a chilly lake breeze.



Adios Chicago!! We had an AWESOME visit - Safe travels Ziggy as he's off to see Liane and Alyssa!!!

A Tribute to Uncle Dan - from my Tia Monica

I was sent this from my Tia Monica today - I thought it was beautiful so I figured I would share. We lost Uncle Dan unexpectedly yesterday morning.....

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A Tribute to my brother Dennis.

It happen to soon, it wasn’t a good time, I wasn’t ready. It just doesn’t seem real. I feel like I am in a fog and so alone. They say it will pass, but I really don’t know. To lose such a wonderful brother.

And yes God I understand it is your will, you have a plan that we can’t even imagine yet. But you also have given us tears to cry, a head that hurts so bad because we miss our big brother, Our arms that are now empty for that one brother who filled a special place. Our hearts hurt so bad we don’t know what to do.

The one who always reminded us what being a family is, the one that always brought the yesteryears of Christmas every year. Nutcrackers and lots of presents! The ugliest tree he could find…he was a true Charlie Brown because when he was done decorating it, the trees true beauty
shined. And how about his never ending collection of Christmas music.

Do you remember?

Do you remember the one who could party with his friends and family, Party like its 1999. Lord we are grateful to have know a brother who has touch hundreds and hundreds in his life. Not everyone could do that but Dennis did it with ease and no effort. His generosity was his trademark and it was real, not just to show others how generous he was because I know of many more times his generosity was anonymous. It was as sincere as his heart.

I can’t seem to forget that I should have called my brother more often. I told him that next year we would start going to the football games with him again. Sorry to say I was too busy this year. How could any of us know that this would be our last opportunity? I loved the way he always dogged my MSU Team and I love teasing him about MI. It was all in love and fun. He even called me after the big game this year and told me that he would listen for five minutes of me bragging and then I have to leave him alone. That’s because State won MI. Now I wish it would have been the other way around.

And even though I am not ready to say goodbye, I am so grateful Lord that you sent this Angel to touch our lives. That I had the opportunity to call him brother, but more important that I had the opportunity to call him my friend. You all know what I am talking about because he had
a way of making each one of us feel as if we were the most important. And I want you to look at me now when I say, each of you are the most important. I am grateful for the friends Danny & Mary brought into our lives because we probably would not have know each other or crossed
paths.

And so Lord, I do trust you. You have called your son to go home. I put my faith in your hand to care for him and to take him to the holy kingdom. And don’t get mad at Dad, David, Gabe and Danny if they stop on the way to have a beer. Its all good. Its all in love.

We shall meet again my brother and I will cherish what you have given me and the family for eternity.

Your Little Black Girl
Mona

My kid is adorable

No, seriously. He is. Way more adorable than most children :)

His big gig right now is dancing. Well, its less like dancing and more like bouncy-type squats. It looks like he's working hard core his glutes and quads. Anyway, I was getting all "awww - he's so adorable and loves my singing" because in the AM when I go to wake him up, he started dancing in his crib to my songs. Rise & Shine and You Are My Sunshine - a couple of really snappy tunes.

Then, yesterday I was printing out recipes for Momfia recipe exchange.....and I look over to a cute little boy really breakin' it down. TOTALLY dancin' his little heart out. Except there was no music. Just the slow rythmic sound of the inkjet printer. Yes, Liam was dancing to the printer noises. *sigh* I guess that doesn't say much for my singing does it?

Seriously folks - note pad time!

I really need to carry around a note pad with me. Or maybe get an iPhone and blog on the go :) I have so many great ideas - so many different feelings and experiences that I want to share throughout the course of any given day....but by time I get a chance to sit and decompress and blog - the moment has passed and exhaustion sets in and then there is nothing to share.

For example.....had a great time in St. Louis! Have some fab photos to share.....but they're not uploaded quite yet so that will have to wait. Monday we spent in Forest Park and at the zoo....yesterday was spent on an Architectural walking tour and at the Arch. Beautiful weather, and a beautiful city!

During the walking tour we also spent some time at the old courthouse, where the Dred Scott Trial was held, and, during Liam's nap time I was able to watch Iron Jawed Angels in its entirety. Between a slave suing for his freedom, a woman's right to vote, and all the election coverage...suffice it to say it was a pretty intense day emotionally for me. I felt so grateful for those people who have fought for my right to cast a vote, and to be able to cast that vote for a Black man....and for that man to be our next leader......

Wow. Was I ever proud. I'm not gonna lie, tears were shed. During the movie....during McCain's concession speech......this morning reading USA Today.......I'm so proud to be an American. God Bless the USA.